2016 Season Recap: Playoffs

Phil KerberNovember 30, 2016

Chicago played host to the Atlanta Dream in the second round of the playoffs. The Sky defeated the Dream 108-98, while setting numerous WNBA and franchise playoff records. Chicago set a new WNBA playoff scoring record for most points scored in a quarter with 37 points in the first quarter against Atlanta. The Sky tied the WNBA playoff record for most points in regulation with 108.

The Sky were led by a balanced scoring attack, as every player recorded at least two points. Jessica Breland set personal playoff career highs in field goals made (10), field goals attempted (14), points (20), rebounds (16) and steals (3), and she tied her playoff career high in blocks (3). Breland’s 16 rebounds, eight of which were offensive boards, were both Sky playoff single-game records. Courtney Vandersloot set new playoff career highs in field goals made (9), points scored (21) and steals (4). Vandersloot’s 13 assists were one shy of her career high (14). Vandersloot’s four steals tied Chicago’s playoff single-game record. Tamera Young tied her playoff career high with eight field goals made and 16 points. Young also finished with four rebounds, three assists and one block. Imani Boyette, making her playoff debut, finished with eight points, 11 rebounds and six blocked shots. Her six blocked shots topped the WNBA rookie record for blocks in a playoff game, as well as the Sky playoff single game-record.

Among the many personal playoff records set, the Sky broke a multitude of franchise playoff records. The 37 points in the first quarter was a new playoff franchise record for points in a quarter. The Sky’s 56 first half points was a new playoff record for points in a half. Chicago set a new record for points scored with 108 points. The Sky shot 72.7 percent in the first quarter, a new Sky playoff high for shooting percentage in a single quarter. Chicago’s 16 made field goals in the first quarter were a new Sky playoff high for field goals made in a quarter. The Sky connected on four three-point field goals in the first quarter, a new franchise playoff high for a single quarter. Chicago’s 44 field goals made was a new Sky playoff record for a single game. The Sky collected 17 offensive rebounds and totaled 26 assists, both new Sky playoff highs.

Chicago’s victory over the Dream set up a semifinal showdown with the second-seeded Los Angeles Sparks. The Sky dropped the first two games of the series on the road. In Game 1, Jamierra Faulkner recorded several new playoff career highs tonight: minutes played (18), points (13) and field goals made (6). Clarissa Dos Santos led the Sky in Game 2 with new playoff highs in points (15), field goals made (6), rebounds (8), steals (6) and minutes (26). Her six steals set a new Sky playoff record.

The Sky returned home for Game 3 facing elimination. Down by as many as 15 points in the first half, Chicago held Los Angeles to 27 second-half points. The fourth quarter featured nine lead changes and three ties. Boyette tied the game at 64 with 1:14 remaining and gave the Sky the lead for good with a putback with 45.4 seconds remaining. The Sky finished the game on an 8-0 run courtesy of four points apiece from Boyette and Vandersloot, giving them their largest lead at 70-64 with 7.1 seconds remaining in the fourth. The Sky capped the game with a 70-66 victory at home.

Vandersloot scored 11 of her 17 points in the fourth quarter after scoring two points in the first half. She also dished a total of five assists. Boyette scored all 13 of her points in the second half and grabbed 10 of her 11 rebounds in the second half. Her 13 points and 11 rebounds was Boyette’s first playoff career double-double.

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